If you were to take Idol’s first three seasons and The Voice’s first three seasons, and pull Clarkson out of the mix, I’d venture that the collective performers on the Voice have done substantially better. And last cycle’s winner, Cassadee Pope is really the first winner that I think is positioned perfectly to be that breakout artist (OK, that’s a lie … I felt the same about S1 winner Javier Colon and have been proven incredibly wrong). And there is a contestant in cycle four that is going to make a metric crap ton of money in Country Music in the next 10 years.

I guess everything tracks back to what the show’s intention is. If it is to find seek out and display incredible talent, then I think everything about The Voice is better than Idol. In my opinion, American Idol decided to make a laughingstock of itself the first minute William Hung showed up on screen. And yes, the show has churned out some talent (Though, I’d argue there hasn’t been a star other than Scotty McCreery — and that might just be my geographical bias — in a long time).

Of course there can be sound advice and offerings on direction, but, ultimately, I don’t think it will come anywhere close to what the Idol Powers That Be think in terms of value.

Of course there’s a contingent who appreciate Lambert’s overall screech, but (and this is only my opinion) unless you plan on catering to the gay, glam, haute couture scene, how much information are you willing to absorb if he’s offering advice? That being said, there’s actually a tune of his I have enjoyed listening to – Whataya Want From Me.

MSN ENTERTAINMENT posted this:
“American Idol” champ Kelly Clarkson won’t join the FOX singing competition show as a judge for Season 13. The “Stronger” singer’s rep confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter she will have no part on the panel of the show next season. Clarkson was at the center of rumors suggesting show producers were eyeing an all-alumni judging panel, with Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert also reported to have been contacted.

Kelly, Jennifer, Carrie, Clay & Adam yes they are successful and yes I think they could do a good job navigating the kids through this show. But me I still would like to see maybe Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Nicks or someone like that be judges. Those names are old enough to offer some sage advice and maybe old enough not to charge so much.

Nope. Ain’t gonna do it. The Voice doesn’t have a track record like Idol does. Idol has made stars of its winners (for the most part) along with proven hits and more. This is something The Voice (and, for that matter The X Factor) have yet to accomplish.

Regarding your first point (“Years of this show utilizing judges that were primarily performers”): 8 seasons, same judges with only one (Paula Abdul) being known as a singer … and a pop blip on the mat. Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson? Producers and a bassist.

Of the remaining judges passing through the turnstile (Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban, all of who were performers of one sort or another … and I don’t count DeGeneres as a judge in the least) it was one of the starts of the breakdown when they began parading in with the exit of Cowell after season 8. Sure there were successes in their critiques at times (with, again, the exception of DeGeneres), but there was more drama, in-fighting, snarkery, bad jokes annoying comments and lameness than there was actual critiquing.

New judges such as Lambert and Aiken? I question the “seasoning” they have in the industry beyond their personal view and how that would benefit fresh hopefuls on the show.

And the idea intrigues me enough to consider watching the show again.

Come now, friend. Just admit that American Idol was never better than the Voice, long before the Voice was even conceived